Sholapur Social Associations Arts and Commerce College, Solapur Maharashtra is a recognised institute / college. Sholapur Social Associations Arts and Commerce College, Solapur Maharashtra was established on / in 1978.

Sholapur Social Associations Arts and Commerce College, Solapur Maharashtra is situated in Solapur of Maharashtra state (Province) in India. This data has been provided by www.punjabcolleges.com. Solapur comes under Solapur Tehsil, Solapur District.

NAAC report of Sholapur Social Associations Arts and Commerce College

Section 1 : Preface
Arts & Commerce College, Sholapur was established by Sholapur Social Association in 1978. The Association was founded in 1953 with the aims and objectives : (i) to help financially poor and deserving students particularly for higher studies in Medicine, Engineering and other Professional and Technical Courses, (ii) to promote feelings of brotherhood amongst citizens of Sholapur, and (iii) to provide education to the economically backward classes by running educational institutions such as Schools, Colleges, Hostels, Libraries and Reading Rooms.

The Association is a minority educational institution in Maharashtra. The College has been recognized as minority institution in 1995. Besides this college, the Association runs Urdu Primary School, Urdu and Marathi High school, Junior College of Science, College of Education, Tailoring Institute for Women and Pre-Primary School.

Initially, the college started with programme in Arts faculty by enrolling 60 students. The Commerce faculty was added in 1983. Thus it is a two - faculty college having Arts and Commerce streams. It is a grant-in-aid institution affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

It has obtained permanent affiliation this year and has yet to obtain recognition under 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC Act.

The College offers 2 UG programmes : B.Com. and B.A. with Urdu, Geography and English. PG programme : M.A.(Urdu) was introduced in 1982.

The college has its own - independent building with a built up area of 2300 sq. meters. It accommodates 18 classrooms and 11 other rooms, Library, sports facilities, vehicle parking shed.

The college has 10 departments : 9 in faculty of Arts and a Commerce department. It has 14 permanent academic staff ( 4 female and 10 male) supported by 5 temporary and 2 CHB teachers. Among these 7 have Ph.D. and 4 M.Phil. degrees. It has 11 non-teaching supporting staff. The institution is a co-educational college. The student enrolment strength is 783 at UG and 89 at PG of which 66 percent are girls students during the current academic year. In the total strength, girls have a share of 25 percent.

The temporal plan of academic work is annual system. The unit cost of education was Rs. 8357/- in the year 2003 - 2004.

The college authorities volunteered for institutional accreditation by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore and submitted the Self-Study Report necessary for the purpose in January 2004. The NAAC constituted the Peer Team consisting of Dr. K. D. Vasava, former Vice Chancellor of Dr. B. A. Open University, Ahemadabad (Gujarat) as Chairman, Prof. K. Prabhakar Rao, Osmania University, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) as Member Co-ordinator and Shri P. G. Prakash, Principal, Kalpataru First Grade Science College, Tiptur (Karanataka) as Member.

The Peer Team visited the college on 27th and 28th August 2004. The pre-visit assistance was excellently provided by Prof. Madhurnath, Academic consultant, NAAC.

The Peer Team examined in detail the infrastructure facilities available in the college, curricular and co-curricular activities and various aspects of the functioning of the Institution. The Team held meetings with the Principal, Member of the Managing Committee, Local Management Committee (LMC), teaching staff and non-teaching staff and interacted with the parents, alumani and representative groups of students and elicited their views on the working of the Institution.

Based on the above exercise, and in-depth analysis and verification of relevant records, the team brings out the following criterion-wise analysis and overall observations and recommendations for a holistic development of the college.

Section 2 : Criterion-wise Analysis
Criterion I : Curricular Aspects
As an affiliated college, it follows the pattern set by the university from time to time. The College offers two UG Programmes : B. A. and B. Com. At PG level it offers M.A. (Urdu). The Institution is the only college in the University offering Urdu at PG level on self-financing basis and had generated an income of Rs. 51,850/- during 2003-2004. The College is bound by the rules of the parent University and in accordance with the norms of the University, the students from Science and Commerce faculties are permitted to have admission to Arts faculty. Two short term courses : (i) Montessori Certificate Course in Urdu medium and (ii) Pre-elementary Course in Communication in English are introduced from 2003-2004 to supplement the regular academic course.

The students study Marathi or Urdu as a compulsory subject in B.A. I comprising Urdu, Persian, Marathi, Hindi and English are options in Group 'A' and History, Political Science, Sociology and Geography in Part 'B'.

Public Administration, Geography of Tourism, History of Hindi literature and History of Urdu literature are the four inter disciplinary subjects of which the students have to choose one subject along with any two subjects out of the four optional subjects offered at B.A. Part I.

The students in their final year in B.A. Part III can opt one subject in Urdu, Geography and English. The college has also B.Com. programme to offer to suit the present needs of the contemporary society.

The programmes offered by the college are conventional in nature, which form the base for further education, and employment in Govt. and non-Govt. sectors.

The college follows the Syllabi framed by Boards of Studies of different subjects of the parent University. Thus, the college has no scope for modification. The college takes a year to introduce a new course. Two teachers from the departments of Commerce and Geography are associated with the Boards of Studies and have actively participated in framing the syllabus for M.Com and B.Com. The college has also organized workshops on revised syllabus of Geography. One of the teachers has served as a member of the Editorial Board in preparation of Persian Text Books.

The goals and objectives of the college are reflected in its curriculum. However, it has yet to develop some more specific courses to accomplish the objectives of the Institution. The college is yet to introduce a mechanism to obtain systematic feedback from academic peers and employers on the teaching programmes offered by the college. College - industry - neighbourhood networking is yet to take shape. Though the department of commerce has attempted in this direction, the efforts are to be strengthened.

Criterion II : Teaching, Learning and Evaluation

The college admits students on the basis of academic records and through interviews in accordance with the provisions of the University and the State Government. The management runs a Junior College, the students of which are given preference in admissions to degree classes. Weightage is also given to sports and extra curricular activities in providing admissions to students. The admission mechanism appears to be transparent. About 13% of the students belong to other than the Muslim Community. Thus, it attracts students of all religions, communities and castes.

The college offers special coaching classes and remedial classes for students, who are identified as weak in their studies, after conducting unit tests.

A teaching plan is prepared at the departmental level at the beginning of the academic year and the teachers stick to the teaching plan. The Syllabi is unitized and sundays and holidays are used to hold extra lecture classes, if necessary. Advanced learners are encouraged to participate in elocutions, debates and creative writing.

As a part of their curricula, the students of Commerce faculty are taken to the neighboring Cement and Sugar factories and the Co-operative Spinning Mills. Students of Geography are also taken to Dry farming Research Centre and other places to supplement the classroom teaching.

Guest lectures, seminars, site visits, field survey, study tours, question answer sessions are arranged to supplement the conventional lecture method. The Department of Geography has audio-visual facility comprising TV, OHP and teaching aids such as audio-cassettes. The college had 234 working days in 2002-03, which included 189 teaching days.

The college with an updated Prospectus, informs the students of the unit tests, examination schedule, methods of evaluation well in advance. The institution follows a system of self-appraisal through which, the teachers themselves make an appraisal of their performance.

Being a minority institution, the college enjoys the privilege of appointing teachers. The appointments of both permanent and temporary teachers, whenever the need arises, are made in accordance with the provisions applicable to minority institution. The Institution has recruited 05 teachers for the last two years. The college also enjoys the freedom to appoint temporary / adhoc teaching staff.

During the last two years two teachers have participated in International and three at National level Conferences/Seminars. 15 teachers have attended Workshops/Orientation programmes/Refresher courses. Eminent teachers and personalities are invited to the Staff Academy to address and to enlighten the faculty members. Three seminars and workshops have been arranged by the college including a seminar on 'Water Conservation' and organized by the department of Geography, which has benefited about 170 students. The College has the credit of organizing state level and University level Conferences and seminars in Political Science, Library Science and Geography.

The services of two teachers of the institution have been recognized by the Lion's Club and Sholapur Zilla Vrutta Patra Lekhak Manch with awards. Two teachers of the college are honoured with 'Ideal Teacher Award'.

One of the teachers has served as a member of the organizing Committee of National level Seminar on Geography held at Kolhapur. The Principal of the college is the President of 'Bhugol Abhyas Mandal', which has organized a workshop of three days for primary teachers on Geographical concepts and Map reading. The Principal has authored a book on Geography Concept and Map reading.

Criterion III : Research, Consultancy and Extension
Out of 14 permanent teachers 7 are Ph.D. holders and 4 have M.Phil. Degree. Of the 5 temporary teachers one is a Ph. D. holder. One of the teachers has submitted the thesis for Ph. D. and he has published two books in Marathi.

The Institution is unable to extend financial support for research as it has yet to obtain UGC recognition under ( 2 f ) and 12 ( B ) of UGC Act. The Management, may encourage the teachers to take up research projects.

The Institution has initiated a number of extension activities such as Community Development, Social work, Health and Hygiene awareness, Medical Camp, Adult Education and Literacy, Blood Donation Camp, AIDS and Environment awareness. Two teachers are given additional responsibility of undertaking the extension NSS activities. The Institution also aims at many other extension activities such as Cancer and Ghutkha awareness programme and Population awareness.

Teachers take part in extension activities such as AIDS awareness, World Population Day, Voluntary Blood Donation Camps. The students, NSS volunteers and NCC Cadets are encouraged to take part in socially useful activities like Pulse Polio programme, Blood donation camps etc. which promote social awareness and make them society friendly.

The college gets support from NGOs like Family Planning Association of India, Lions Club of Solapur and Solapur Zilla Samajik Karya Samitee for the successful conduct of extension services. NCC Cadets of the college help the law enforcing authorities in maintaining law and order during the election and festival etc..

Many teachers including the Principal of the college serve as members of the Peace Committee, Indian Red Cross Society, and the Family Planning Association of India, (Solapur Branch).

The Physical Education Director has served as the Chairman of Shivaji University Selection Committee for Hockey Team, a member of the Western India Foot Ball Association and also as a Selector of Maharashtra State Foot Ball Team. He also participated in the Conference on Physical Education and Sports Sciences.

The college encourages the students to participate in varieties of cultural activities.

Teachers play an active role in the field of co-operation by becoming the office bearers of Co-operative Societies.

Criterion IV : Infrastructure and Learning Resources
The College has its own building constructed at an approximate cost of Rs. 1.6 crores. The new building has a ground floor, first and second floor, which provide for an Assembly hall, Sports room, spacious Classrooms, Ladies waiting hall, Library with spacious reading room facility, Staff rooms and the Management office.

The college maintains its infrastructure from the maintenance grants received from the Maharashtra State Govt. The college Management also renders financial assistance.

The existing infrastructure is shared by both the Junior College and the Degree as well as the Post Graduate courses for conducting classes. The Library works from 7.30 am to 6.00 pm and during the examination period, desirous students are permitted to study in class rooms till 10.30 pm.

Election Authorities, many external agencies like Lion's Club, Municipal Corporation, Railway recruitment Board etc., make use of the college building.

The college has a Library Advisory Committee headed by the Principal which supervises the functioning of the library. The library has got a Book Bank facility to help deserving meritorious students. The system of inter library borrowing is introduced. In 2003-04 about 524 books worth about Rs. 41,616/- were added. Besides, the library subscribes to 15 Journals/periodicals and 8 News papers. The Central Library has a collection of 9017 books with 4333 titles. The departments do not have computers of their own. But, the college office has three computers and computer maintenance is entrusted to the professionals on contract.

Annual health check up camps are conducted. Students have outdoor sports facilities such as Cricket, Hockey, Athletics, Football and indoor sports like Table Tennis. For the time being the college uses the Municipal Corporation Play Ground.

Students are encouraged to take part in sports with cash incentives and prizes.

Four students have gone to the National level football tournaments and four students to University level competitions in Hockey and Football and a student has participated in Judo at the National level.

The Director of Physical Education is the Chairman of Shivaji University Selection Committee for Hockey and he is also a member of the Western India Football Association and a selector of Maharashtra State Football Team. He also has a distinction of participating in the International Conference on Physical Education and sports.

The college is yet to provide hostel facilities. Efforts may be made in this direction to facilitate more students to reap the benefits of higher education.

Criterion V : Student Support and progression
Out of 166 students who got admitted to B.A. and B. Com. in 2003-04, 156 students appeared for the final examination.

All the 19 students admitted to M.A. (Urdu) appeared for the examination.

The college publishes its updated prospectus which helps the students and the parents to know about the history of the institution, courses offered by the college, combinations available, fee structure, rules and regulations of the college, formation of students council, lists of teachers and non-teaching staff and it guides the students well in advance to select the courses and to get the combination of their choice.

Financial aids are made available to students from various sources like the State Govt., Central Govt., GOI Scholarship, Scholarship to children of freedom fighters, to Handicapped students, Children of Ex-servicemen are some such financial assistance made available. In 2003-04 473 students received EBC freeship. The total number of beneficiaries of Scholarships and Freeships was 621 in 2003-04. The employment cell is of very recent origin in the college and a teacher is in charge of the cell and it motivates the students to seek self-employment. A Career Counseling Committee is also functioning under one of the teachers from the Department of Geography. The college has just started the Alumni Association. Some recreational and leisure time activities available to students include indoor and outdoor games, cultural programmes, Essay Writing. The Department of Marathi has 'Spandan' - a monthly wall poster.

Criterion VI : Organization and Management
The Apex body, the Board of Trustees and Managing Committee of the College consists of the Founder President, a Vice President, General Secretary, a Treasurer and Trustees and Seven Members of the Management. The Managing Committee takes decisions and guides smooth functioning of the college.

Besides, the college has a Local Managing Committee (LMC) constituted as per the provisions of the Universities Act. The Committee meets twice a year and guides the Principal in academic matters and adhoc appointments.

Specific work allotted to the members of non-teaching staff is supervised by the Principal and the Office Superintendent. The office staff is trained in computer operation to enable introduction of the computer system in office work. There is a committee to prepare the calendar of events for the academic year. The college has an internal Audit mechanism. It had a budget deficit of Rs. 14,558/- at the end of 2003-04.

It is noticed that the College Management has initiated a welfare measure for the staff. The Management which runs the college has established an Employees' Co-Operative Credit Society to provide credit facilities to the teaching and non-teaching staff at a reasonable rate of interest. Besides all these, the staff members have exemplary arrangement in staff welfare fund, which provides loans at concessional rates of interest to tide over their difficulties. Insurance Scheme for students has also been implemented from 2003-04. A grievance redressal cell exists in the college.

Criterion VII : Healthy Practices
The Peer Team has identified certain healthy practices prevailing in the college which enhance the academic ambience of the institution.
These are :

The performance of students is subject to routine check through unit tests, seminars and group discussion.

Internal check exists in the form of Self Appraisal of faculty members to ensure teaching quality.

The college strengthens conventional academic programmes by offering PG programme in Urdu and short duration certificate courses on self financing basis.

Civic responsibilities are inculcated among the students through Social Service Activities and Community Orientation Programmes of the NCC and NSS units.

Students are encouraged to participate in sports activities with prizes and other types of incentives.

Several programmes are organized by various departments under the aegis of 'Solapur Zilla Bhugol Abhyas Mandal', Commerce Club, English Literary Association and Social Science Association.

Praiseworthy venture is, the adoption of villages by the college for their integrated development.

Group discussions, seminars and tests are regularly arranged.

The members of the staff are involved in the functioning of the college by constituting 39 Committees with a specific mandate for each.

Responding to call given by Vice Chancellor of the University, the college staff have liberally donated for the construction of the 'Kreeda Sankul'.

The College promotes feelings of brotherhood through organizing lectures of eminent personalities belonging to different communities.

Several measures have been taken to build team spirit among the staff to ensure cordial relations between teachers and students leading to good student discipline in terms of punctuality and regularity.

Students are encouraged to participate in cultural programmes and various types of competitions.

Section 3 : Overall Analysis
Over the period of 26 years of its existence, the college has tried to cater to the academic needs of the socially and economically deprived segments of the society in general and minority community in particular. The college is endeavoring to empower the girls students by providing higher education to their doorsteps. Despite socio-economic constraints, the college has made steady progress.

The Team recorded its observations at appropriate criterion-wise analysis in the above section. However, it would like to offer following suggestions for the holistic development of the college.

Suggestions :
Marathi, History, Hindi, Economics and Political Science may be offered at T.Y. level.
Efforts may be made to launch a few need based short duration career oriented / vocational programmes.

Spoken English classes may be organized for the benefit of both student and teachers of the Institution.

The College may explore the possibility of starting PG programmes in other subjects also.

Traditional classroom teaching needs to be strengthened by the use of modern audio-video aids.

Remedial classes for weak students may be made more effective.

Efforts may be made to set up Commerce Laboratory to provide practical training to the students.

Science programme may be added at the UG level in a phased manner.

Need based seminars and workshops may be organized for the benefit of teachers, learners and society.

The Management may encourage the teachers to improve their educational qualifications and undertake some small research projects either individually or departmentally.

The Library may further be strengthened by (i) procuring latest editions of books (ii) subscribing to more number of Journals (iii) providing book bank, reprography and inter library borrowing facilities.

Professional development programmes may be initiated by the Management for the non-teaching staff.

Career guidance may be formalised to enhance the placement opportunities for students.

Efforts may be made to provide independent playground and Gym facility.

Office Administration and Library may be computerized in a phased manner.

Efforts may be made to train members of the staff in computer applications and internet facilities may be made available to both students and teachers.

Single teacher departments are to be strengthened.

Hostel and Canteen facilities may be provided.

Coaching for competitive examinations may be taken up for the benefit of the students.

The Peer Team wishes to thank the Principal, academic and non-teaching staff for extending co-operation to the team during the visit to the college. The team is also grateful to NAAC for the opportunity given to visit the institution.